US5523261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of cleaning high density inductively coupled plasma chamber using capacitive coupling
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1995-02-28
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Granted: 1996-06-04
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Expires: 2015-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An inductively coupled plasma chamber having a capacitor electrode during cleaning of the plasma chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Gurtej S. Sandhu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 02:35
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/32; H01J37/32431; H01J37/32798; H01J37/32853; H01J37/32862; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S438/00; Y10S438/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method, comprising the following steps: a) providing a liquid concentrically to and exterior to a wall of a chamber; b) charging the liquid to an electrical potential; c) injecting a plasma into the chamber; d) capacitively coupling a potential to the plasma in response to the step of charging; e) loosening debris on the wall in response to the step of capacitively coupling; and f) removing the debris from the chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method, comprising the following steps: a) providing a liquid concentrically to and exterior to a wall of a chamber; b) charging the liquid to an electrical potential; c) injecting a plasma into the chamber; d) capacitively coupling a potential to the plasma in response to the step of charging; e) loosening debris on the wall in response to the step of capacitively coupling; and f) removing the debris from the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as specified in claim 1, further comprising the following steps: a) removing the liquid from its concentric position with respect to the wall; b) injecting a gas into the chamber; and c) inductively ionizing the gas.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for cleaning a wall of a chamber, comprising the following steps: a) altering an electrical conductivity of a material to change the material from an insulator to a conductor; b) injecting a plasma into the chamber; c) charging the material to an electrical potential; d) capacitively coupling the electrical potential to the plasma in response to said step of charging; e) loosening debris from a surface in the chamber in response to the step of capacitively coupling; and f) removing debris from the chamber.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for cleaning a wall of a chamber, comprising the following steps: a) altering an electrical conductivity of a material to change the material from an insulator to a conductor; b) injecting a plasma into the chamber; c) charging the material to an electrical potential; d) capacitively coupling the electrical potential to the plasma in response to said step of charging; e) loosening debris from a surface in the chamber in response to the step of capacitively coupling; and f) removing debris from the chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as specified in claim 3, further comprising the step of altering a temperature of the material from a temperature at which the material is the insulator to a temperature at which the material is the conductor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as specified in claim 3, further comprising applying ultrasonic energy to the material in order to perform said step of altering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as specified in claim 3, further comprising removing ultrasonic energy applied to the material in order to perform said step of altering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as specified in claim 3, further comprising applying light energy to the material in order to perform said step of altering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as specified in claim 3, further comprising removing light energy applied to the material in order to perform said step of altering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as specified in claim 3, further comprising altering a doping of the material in order to perform said step of altering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as specified in claim 3, further comprising realtering the electrical conductivity of the material to change the material from a conductor to an insulator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as specified in claim 10, further comprising the step of altering a temperature of the material from a temperature at which the material is the conductor to a temperature at which the material is the insulator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as specified in claim 10, further comprising applying ultrasonic energy to the material in order to perform said step of realtering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as specified in claim 10, further comprising removing ultrasonic energy applied to the material in order to perform said step of realtering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as specified in claim 10, further comprising applying light energy to the material in order to perform said step of realtering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as specified in claim 10, further comprising removing light energy applied to the material in order to perform said step of realtering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as specified in claim 10, further comprising altering a doping of the material in order to perform said step of realtering the electrical conductivity.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
56 words
A method, comprising the following steps: a) injecting a gas into a chamber; b) inductively ionizing the gas to create an ionized gas; c) forming debris on a surface of the chamber; d) generating a capacitively coupled plasma in the chamber; and e) loosening the debris from the surface in response to said step of generating.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
56 words
A method, comprising the following steps: a) injecting a gas into a chamber; b) inductively ionizing the gas to create an ionized gas; c) forming debris on a surface of the chamber; d) generating a capacitively coupled plasma in the chamber; and e) loosening the debris from the surface in response to said step of generating.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
87 words
A method, comprising the following steps: a) inserting a workpiece into a chamber; b) injecting a gas into the chamber; c) inductively ionizing the gas to create an ionized gas; d) performing a chemical process on the workpiece using the ionized gas; e) forming debris on a surface of the chamber during said step of performing; f) generating a capacitively coupled plasma in the chamber; g) loosening the debris from the surface in response to the step of generating; and h) removing the debris from the chamber.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
87 words
A method, comprising the following steps: a) inserting a workpiece into a chamber; b) injecting a gas into the chamber; c) inductively ionizing the gas to create an ionized gas; d) performing a chemical process on the workpiece using the ionized gas; e) forming debris on a surface of the chamber during said step of performing; f) generating a capacitively coupled plasma in the chamber; g) loosening the debris from the surface in response to the step of generating; and h) removing the debris from the chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-06-04 | 1999-12-04 | 2000-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-04 | 2003-12-04 | 2004-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-04 | 2007-12-04 | 2008-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |